99. Now Hope
NOW: HOPE
It was the end of winter now, and Eccleston was much farther up north than the low country where I had lived my entire life.
We had spent coin on cloaks and shawls when we had first been paid for our labors.
I wrapped myself in both a shawl and a cloak, wincing at the brisk wind in my face when I exited the house.
Gracelessly, I stumbled out into the street, trying to get my bearings in this city.
I remembered that one direction would lead to the hitching post where Reed and Dermid would be dropped off.
As I began for the post, I heard my name called.
Glancing up, I recognized Kate, the wheelwright’s wife.
She was waving to me across the street, from the doorway of a building that had sustained damage from the invasion.
“Robbie!” she called again. “I wondered what happened to you lot!”
I was taken aback.
She was cheerful looking, pink cheeked and eager, a far cry from the woman I had seen lost and dim in the tower. She was crossing the street, wiping her hands on her apron. Kate gave me an embrace, not seeming to be offended when I barely returned it.
“It’s you,” I said.
“Did you hear about the fire?” she asked, pulling away. “Is that how you left too? We didn’t see you on the road here.”
I must have nodded.
“My man saw the first flames and went for our horses. He was already cross, already didn’t think we were given the accommodations we were promised.
People followed suit. They couldn’t resist all of us flooding outside at once, hollering for their Gates of Sound to be open.
” Kate smiled, shaking her head. “Always thought I was a country mouse, but I love this city already. They’ve no mother’s moss here, but you can walk right into an apothecary and ask for their version of a woman’s tonic.
It’s like they’ve never heard of Rodwin here, even if they were once allied with Perpatane.
My man says he’s lost any faith he ever had anyway. ”
“Once?”
“Oh, the talk in the taverns is that they are officially pulling away from those warmongers. There’s a whole refrain taken up by Ecclestonians now when they drink.
‘The mining folk like brass are bold. They cannot be bought with silver or gold.’ They’re electing a new government even.
All those men on their council that took Perpatane’s coin are being tried for treason.
Least that’s what my man says. He loves it here too. Where are you off to?”
I snapped out of my delighted shock at seeing her and at seeing the change in her. “I need to get to the public hitching post. The one closest. Kate, I’m relieved to see you.” I bussed her cheek, ignoring her wide eyes, and ran.
I saw Reed walking towards me when I rounded the street corner and saw the large town square where horses and wagons were tethered.
I called out his name, my tears reappearing.
He smiled when he looked up. He gave a wave. “Dermid’s in a brewery. Made friends while we were gone. I couldn’t wait to see you though.”
I barely heard him as I quickened my steps. When I reached him, after a breath’s passing with us staring at each other, I pulled The Life of Una out of my apron pocket. “Was this you?”
He hesitated and then dipped his chin. Then he tucked a finger into the pocket at his side. “I’ve had it since I was a boy. I used to carry it with me next to the record I had to keep for the wardens. How did you know—”
I kissed him. I kissed him soundly, thoroughly, passionately, tasting the salt of my tears sliding into our mouths. I threw my hands around his neck, one still holding my book, pulled him closer to me, and relished in the feel of his own hands circling my waist.
“Yes,” I wept against his mouth. “Yes. You don’t have to present your case. You don’t have to make an argument. You don’t have to ask.”
His body shuddered. He buried his face in my neck. “Truly?”
I repeated my words, cupping the back of his head. Then I asked, “Can we stay here a while, see to everyone’s being well before we make for Vyggia?”
He pulled away to look at me. “You would go to Vyggia with me?”
I nodded. “I cannot live in a city. I cannot look at buildings every day. Not for the rest of my life. I need something wild.”
Reed bent his head, touching his brow to mine. “You will love the sea, Robbie.”